I used to think tea had to be hot.
There was something about the ritual of it. Boiling water, warming the pot, watching the leaves open. A proper cup of tea seemed to require steam.
Then I tried cold brew tea, and I had to admit something slightly uncomfortable.
I liked it.
More than I expected.
Cold brew tea does not have the drama of hot tea. There is no kettle singing in the kitchen or steam curling above the cup. You simply add tea leaves to cold water and let time do the work.
That simplicity is probably part of why some tea lovers are suspicious of it.
There is a certain idea that if tea is not prepared hot, we are somehow doing it wrong. Tea has traditions, after all, and many of those traditions place great importance on hot water and careful preparation.
But does that mean every good cup has to follow the same rules?
I am not convinced.
Cold brewing changes the experience. Without the heat, the tea can taste softer and less aggressive. Some teas reveal gentle floral or fruity notes that might be harder to notice when brewed quickly with hot water.
It can also be wonderfully refreshing, especially in Singapore.
On a humid afternoon, I sometimes want a cold glass of tea more than I want to sit beside a steaming cup. That does not make me appreciate tea any less. If anything, it makes me notice how adaptable tea really is.
And perhaps that is what I find most interesting about cold brew tea.
It challenges the idea that there is only one proper way to enjoy something.
We have already adapted tea in countless ways. We add milk. We add sugar. We serve it over ice. We turn it into lattes and desserts. We drink it in tea rooms, cafés, homes, and hawker centres.
So why should cold brewing be treated as a betrayal of tradition?
Maybe tradition is not about keeping tea frozen in time.
Maybe it is about allowing tea to continue finding its way into people’s lives.
I still love hot tea. I probably always will. There is something comforting about holding a warm cup between your hands when the day feels long.
But on certain afternoons, I want something cold, bright, and uncomplicated.
And if that makes me a tea purist’s least favourite person, I suppose I can live with that.
— Maria Tan
On tea, culture, and everyday rituals.
Why Tea Somehow Tastes Better on Rainy Days
I don’t know when I first started believing this, but tea genuinely feels different when it rains. Not scientifically different, of course. The leaves do not magically change because of the weather. And yet somehow, a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon feels softer, warmer, maybe even a little more comforting than usual. Just…
Brew, Sip, Heal: The Powerful Chamomile Tea Benefits Explained
Singapore is a city that rarely stops moving. Between the hum of the MRT, the endless glow of screens, and the heavy humidity that clings to the air, finding a moment to genuinely wind down can feel like a luxury. For the longest time, my evening routine consisted of scrolling through my phone while finishing…
-
Why Tea Feels Different at Night
Tea changes after dark. The same leaves, brewed in the same pot, somehow feel quieter in the evening. The aroma lingers longer. The warmth of the cup feels more noticeable in the hands. Even conversation seems to soften slightly around tea at night. Perhaps it is because the world itself becomes quieter. During the day,…
Tea Health Benefits: Best Teas for Relaxation, Focus, and Sleep
Tea is one of the world’s most beloved drinks, enjoyed every day across countless cultures. When we talk about tea health benefits, it’s helpful to know the difference between true tea and herbal infusions. True tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, giving us popular varieties like green, black, white, and oolong tea. On the…
The Secret Joy of a Simple Cup of Tea
There’s something so deeply satisfying about a cup of tea-especially when it’s the simplest cup. No complicated brewing methods. No fancy leaves. Just tea, water, and a moment of quiet. I’ve had tea in many places, from grand tea houses to humble kitchen counters. But the most memorable tea moments often happen in the least…
-
A Quiet Tea Café in Somerset: Inside the Experience at Hvala
Amid Singapore’s bustling shopping hubs like Orchard, Club Street, and Tanjong Pagar, finding a peaceful spot to unwind can be a challenge. Hvala, a minimalist tea cafe Singapore locals and visitors adore, offers a serene teahouse experience brimming with natural light and calm vibes. Located on the ground floor of 111 Somerset, this bright, inviting…
-
The Tea We Return To Again and Again
Most tea drinkers have one. A tea they continue returning to, even after trying countless others. It is rarely the rarest tea they own. Often, it is not even the most impressive. It may lack the complexity of aged teas or the elegance of carefully crafted harvests. And yet, somehow, it becomes the tea they…
-
Pek Sin Choon vs Modern Teaware Shops: Two Tea Traditions in Singapore
Walking through Chinatown’s Mosque Street, you encounter two distinct tea traditions that embody Singapore’s rich heritage and evolving culture. Pek Sin Choon, one of the oldest tea merchants in Singapore, stands as a living root of Chinese tea culture, while modern teaware shops offer a fresh perspective on tea appreciation through design and brewing systems….
-
Why I Stopped Saving My “Good Tea” for Special Occasions
For the longest time, I treated my favorite teas like they needed a reason. I would buy something beautiful, maybe a delicate oolong or a tea that smelled faintly floral the moment I opened the tin, then immediately start rationing it in my head. I’ll save this for guests. For weekends. For days that feel…
-
Teapot Set: How It Shapes the Tea Experience
On certain afternoons in Singapore, when rain softens the edges of the day, I find myself lingering before the water reaches its boil. The teapot rests nearby, waiting. There is always a moment like this before tea (quiet, unhurried) when the world seems willing to pause with you. A teapot set belongs to these moments….
